Why would you want to play without a henchman?

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In other forum topics I have come across several people who say that they no longer play with a henchman. Is there any benifits to playing without one? Do you get any extra points or anything? Personally I kind of like the companionship of having another character with me when I am playing solo...I'd be interested in any imput anyone might have.

 

Theres an added challenge. Some people found the game too easy like I did. (Compared to the BG series, NWN was a cake walk) I am replaying it with a sorc, but I still plan on using a henchman. (a different one of course)

[This message has been edited by Frog (edited July 10, 2002).]

 

It seems some people get annoyed with their stupidity at times. It can be rather annoying when you'd like them to do something, and they won't. But since I hate the idea of adventuring in a dnd world by myself, I drag em along for the ride.

 

No offense, but claiming to look for a challenge with a sorcerer? That's a joke.

Some sorcerer benefits:
Familiar:
-can trigger traps
-better to control in combat (compared to the idiotic henchmen, since you can possess this one)
-can reborn in battle if you have rested after summoning
-can get back after being killed by just resting
Summoned creature:
-many of the things above, combined with a familiar is far better than any henchmen in battle (except when you run into mages who can unsummon them)
-can be cast over and over again when it dies or suffers incapacitating effects, a 5/6:th level summoned creature has around 110-150hp -> almost comparable to Daelan Red in battle (well almost, Daelan is still the king)
Spells:
-very powerful protection (stoneskin on familiar/summoned), support (bull's strength/the one that raises dex, haste) and offensive (area distruction) spells
-can destroy all destructable, locked or trapped items with spells without getting hit by the trap
-high charisma (persuation -> money)

Sorcerer is by far one of the best classes there is.

If you want challenge, then play with a simple fighter or the sort. They are in a whole other dimension in terms of difficulty. No ability to disable traps, open too strong chests, protect them from spells or being overpowered by numerous enemies.

[This message has been edited by Forashi (edited July 10, 2002).]

 

Heh, admitedly, the henchmen can be ever so slightly idiotic in what they do. I was being chased by something, hoping that Sharwyn would start shooting it with her bow. However for some reason she decided that a portculis was far more worthy of her attention.

 

I'm on my second run now first time i went through with a Ranger it was fairly easy so i just stoped using Henchman cause they just got in the way.
this time I'm using a Wizard specialized in Necromancy.
the first part was alot harder but once i got to about lev 5 it started getting easier. now i'm lev 16 and i just blow away groups of monsters with ease using fireball i just obliterate rooms monsters and chests in one go then go in pick up all the stuff. Henchmen don't help a high level wizard at all except as fodder. but with 3-4 summon creature/raise undead spells ready to go what does a wizard need a henchman for?
besides My skeliton chiefton is a great fighter who usually only goes away when i rest
I thought it would be harder playing with a Wizard but it's actuelly easier.

 

I think the reason that many people are playing without a henchman is because of the crappy AI. Personally, I have not had a problem with the AI (except when Sharwyn casts spells while being engaged in melee. Bioware decided to give bards and mages the same AI script).

I think the xp is slightly greater with a henchman, because they'll always be lower in level than you, they lower the party challenge rating, which increases your xp.

 

Actually, I found a place with improved henceman AI. It's by the same one who did the inventory stuff.

Click on this fixed URL

[This message has been edited by TriLleX The Slayer (edited July 10, 2002).]

 

The challenge rating is for a 4 player party if I got it right, BTA, though I dont think the CR inreases by soloing, you just gain more xp times the number of missing players (of a group of 4 that is). The encounter would be harder, yes, but you would likewise gain more xp.

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited July 11, 2002).]

 

I've noticed something very strange..
when I first went through the game with my Ranger/rogue/fighter I did as many quests as i could find and killed everything i saw clearing all the maps. I didn't use a henchman most of the time. my ranger char is 13/3/2 for a total of 18 levels after finishing chap 4
now i'm going through with a necromancer and i usually have a henchman + my familer + summoned monster. i've been skiping quests and not bothering to clear maps but my necromancer is lev 19 in chap 3

i'm not sure what is with the experiance difference but i think you actuelly get more experience with a henchman then without. has anyone else noticed this? I think i'll experiment with this and see if it's true.. maybe it's just that wizards get more xp